RCSD press conference on deputy involved in crash set for Wednesday

The Richland County Sheriff’s Department will hold a press conference Wednesday regarding the charges set against a sheriff’s deputy accused of running a red light and hitting another vehicle on Friday evening.

The Richland County Sheriff’s Department will hold a press conference Wednesday regarding the charges set against a sheriff’s deputy accused of running a red light and hitting another vehicle Friday evening.

Lt. Curtis Wilson said the conference will be held at the Richland County Sheriff’s Department headquarters at 12:30 p.m.

Senior Trooper Hannah Wimberly, a spokeswoman for the South Carolina Highway Patrol, said Cpl. Ken Proffitt drove through a red light while an oncoming vehicle was making a left turn on to Trenholm Road Friday.

The accident caused the deputy’s vehicle to flip over. Proffitt, who was not charged at the scene, was taken to a local hospital.

Wimberly said the driver of the other vehicle did not report any injuries.

Lance Cpl. David Jones, a spokesman with the Highway Patrol, said Proffitt has been involved in two other crashes already this year.

Jones said Proffitt was a contributor to an accident in April when he failed to clear an intersection while responding to a call with his lights and sirens activated.

“You have to use care when responding to an emergency,” Jones said. “You don’t want a false sense of security thinking that people are looking for you.”

Jones said Proffitt was also involved in another accident later in April when a car backing out of a parking spot hit his patrol car. Proffitt was not at fault for the accident.